What do you do?

BAIL AGENT
Janet Radloff
Goldberg Bail Bonds

History in this line of work:
I was licensed in 1992. At the time I was also working for US West. But my kids were grown up, so I began with the “nights and weekend calendar,” which is just what it sounds like—you work evenings and on the weekend. Then in 2000 I retired from US West and started working full time here.

What drew her to this vocation:
I followed my husband. He became a bail agent shortly before me, in 1992. I was working at US West, and after work followed him around as he went to the jails and showed me how to write up bonds. I thought to myself, “That’s interesting—gee whiz, I can do that.” And I’ve been at it now for fifteen years and counting.

Health insurance benefits:
My US West retirement package pays for my health coverage.

Fringe benefits or perks:
A co-worker said that my getting to work with them is a fringe benefit, and that’s true. Especially Bud and Patti Goldberg. They’re wonderful—it’s an honor to work for them. They’re good corporate citizens, good businesspeople, just good in general. We get profit sharing, a great work environment. They take care of their clients, too. It doesn’t matter who you are—if you’re an alleged felon, whatever nationality, background—it doesn’t matter, you get our respect.

It’s also great to be able to ride to work with my husband, who’s now part time. We work together better than we live together.

Education and employment background:
I worked in human resources and that’s definitely helped. When I’m talking to a client, I have to make a decision.

Drawbacks, hassles, or hazards of the job:
Sometimes you go into areas of the city or jails in the dark, at night. Unfamiliar places. I came in from the country. But I’m not nervous talking to someone at my desk—I never think of what the person has done or is alleged to have done. When I walk to the jails I just need to be aware. This job has certainly heightened my awareness.

Interests outside of work:
My husband and I have a trailer at the Grand Marais Campground. We’re hosts. My husband takes off to work security there—he gets to work when he wants. Other than that I like to read when I have time. But up there [in Grand Marais] we’re dealing with people all the time as hosts. My whole life has been about providing service and that’s what this job is about.

Family:
I’ve been married forty-one years and have two children, ages thirty-three and thirty-one. My daughter works here, as does my niece. Patti Goldberg likes to hire families.

Housing:
We own our home and our trailer.

Transportation:
My husband and I drive to work from Ham Lake. And we used to take the bridge!

What she wanted to be as a child:
I always wanted to be a boss—I wanted to supervise. My dad told me, “Why don’t you apply at the phone company?” My cousin Gus worked there. In those days you didn’t need a degree to work your way up the ladder. Soon I was an office manager. I’ve been fulfilling my dream all along.

But thank God I’m not a boss anymore.

What else, if anything, she’d rather be doing:
Nothing really. Every once in a while I think of what I’d do if I weren’t here. I have to have something to do. I’d do other things—if Patti will have me, maybe I’ll work part time when Social Security kicks in.

Where she sees herself in five years:
Still working here but part time. You also have to know that I wouldn’t do this job for any other company in this city. I see how some people are treated elsewhere, and I’d never be a part of that.